Full-time Nursing Externship

Lexington Regional Health Center•Lexington, NE

About The Position

The Nursing Externship provides general patient-care support under the direction of licensed nursing staff. Duties include assisting with activities of daily living, monitoring vital signs as ordered, communicating patient needs, maintaining medical records, keeping patient-care areas stocked, and supporting safe, continuous, patient-centered care. The role also involves handling biological specimens and biohazardous waste, following infection-control procedures, and maintaining an environment that meets applicable standards. The position requires regular attendance at the assigned work location and performance of other duties as assigned. Work includes frequent patient-care activities and may involve substantial walking, lifting and transferring patients, moving equipment, kneeling or squatting, and exposure to body substances, chemicals, and other patient-care hazards. Appropriate safety precautions must be used.

Requirements

Currently enrolled in an accredited registered nursing program, with expected graduation the following calendar year.
Basic Life Support certification through the American Heart Association.
Current Certified Nursing Assistant license.
Ability to read, write, and use basic computer and office equipment skills.
Ability to maintain strict confidentiality regarding protected and sensitive information.
Ability to complete reports and correspondence at a professional level.
Ability to respond promptly to common inquiries and complaints from patients, employees, and regulatory agencies.
Ability to communicate effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
Successful completion of required training and knowledge of standard precautions and transmission protocols, including when to apply them.
Ability to meet the physical demands of the position, including patient-care activity, lifting and transferring, and moving equipment.
Use appropriate safety precautions, such as safety glasses and gloves, to minimize risk of injury.

Nice To Haves

Enrollment in the University of Nebraska Medical Center Registered Nurse program.

Responsibilities

Assist with activities of daily living, monitor vital signs as ordered by a provider, and perform other duties delegated by licensed nursing staff.
Communicate with nurses about patient needs and assigned duties.
Document care accurately, completely, concisely, and promptly in the appropriate medical-record format and forms.
Ensure patient-care areas are adequately stocked with supplies.
Support patient and staff safety through patient-safety tools such as TeamSTEPPS and Just Culture.
Provide accurate, detailed bedside shift reports to oncoming staff to support continuity of care.
Communicate with the multidisciplinary team to support holistic, patient-centered care.
Participate in patient-care activities that may involve blood exposure and bloodborne-pathogen risks.
Safely bag and dispose of biohazardous waste.
Collect, store, and label biological specimens properly.
Help ensure the environment meets appropriate governing-body standards.
Ensure patients and visitors follow current infection-control guidelines.
Attend regularly at the assigned work location.
Perform other duties as assigned.